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Unbreakable Mind & BodyForgiveness, Healing and Making Peace with the PastWhat happens when a routine doctor's appointment triggers a flood of unresolved trauma? This raw, unfiltered episode takes you through my unexpected 48-hour emotional journey after my cancer-survivor mother needed a hospital stay.During what should have been a simple appointment, I found myself catapulted back to 2007 – when my mom battled brain cancer while I juggled a soul-crushing corporate job and an unsupportive relationship. The memory of her telling me to "stop fucking crying" during one vulnerable moment had shaped years of emotional suppression that I'm only now beginning to unpack.We don't need to li...2025-07-2827 minUnbreakable Mind & BodyI Never Fit In Anywhere: Navigating Cultural Identity as a NuyoricanHave you ever felt like you don't quite belong anywhere? That feeling has followed me throughout my entire life as a Nuyorican with a distinctly Hispanic last name but without the language skills to match.My journey with cultural identity began in childhood, where my Puerto Rican parents made the difficult choice not to teach me Spanish—a decision rooted in their desire to protect me from the discrimination they had faced. "We want to make sure that you do not face as much racism as we have," they told me when I asked why we didn't sp...2025-07-2125 minUnbreakable Mind & BodyNever Quite Ready: Taking Action Despite Self-DoubtIn this vulnerable episode, I share a recent brand photoshoot experience that had me battling waves of insecurity despite years of camera experience. Despite taking over 1,000 photos, my inner perfectionist—formed through years as a dancer and bodybuilder—kept finding flaws. The mantra that pulled me through? "I am enough and what I'm doing is important."This triggered memories of perhaps my greatest personal challenge: after earning my IFBB Pro card in 2010, I gained over 50 pounds within months. Gym sessions became exercises in humiliation. There were days the physical pain kept me bedridden, and I questioned if I'd...2025-07-1421 minUnbreakable Mind & BodyWhat About Me? How This Question Changed Me"Well, what about me?" These four simple words transformed my understanding of boundaries and self-care. What initially shocked me—his casual request for coffee when supplies were low—ultimately gave me permission to prioritize my own needs without guilt.The beauty of this lesson was its unexpectedness. While our relationship didn't last, his natural ability to advocate for himself showed me what healthy boundary-setting looks like. During the isolation of lockdown, I had time to reflect on this interaction. Where was I making unnecessary sacrifices? With family, friends, and especially clients, I needed to learn to say "this...2025-07-0714 minUnbreakable Mind & BodyI Crashed a Car on My Way to An InterviewIn 2007, I crashed a borrowed car on my way to a job interview.What started as a simple car swap to avoid a traffic ticket quickly spiraled into disaster when I hydroplaned over construction runoff and slammed into a concrete divider. The wrecked car was just the beginning—my boyfriend's reaction revealed more about our relationship than months of dating had. Despite the chaos, I formulated a plan: get the damaged car home, change clothes, catch a train to the city, and somehow pull myself together for this crucial interview. Not only did I make it...2025-07-0718 minUnbreakable Mind & BodyThe Power of Intentional TrainingWhat's the rush? When it comes to fitness, slowing down might be exactly what you need to achieve better results. We live in a world that glorifies busyness, constantly pushing us to do more, faster. But in this episode, I challenge that notion by exploring how intentional, deliberate action creates far more powerful outcomes than hurried, mindless movement. The centerpiece of this conversation is my five-minute pre-workout ritual—a simple yet transformative practice that grounds you, focuses your attention, and clarifies your purpose before stepping onto the fitness floor. This ritual helps transition your mindset from...2025-06-3021 minUnbreakable Mind & BodyScars Tell Stories of Brave MomentsThe most transformative moments in life often begin with taking a risk, stepping into uncertainty, and embracing the possibility of both success and failure. Today's episode dives deep into the physical and emotional "scars" these risks leave behind—and why they're worth celebrating rather than hiding.Looking down at the stretch marks on my inner thighs one morning, I found myself reflecting on my journey as a former professional bodybuilder who experienced dramatic physical transformations throughout my career. Our bodies tell stories through their "imperfections," whether it's stretch marks from weight fluctuations, scars from childhood accidents, or th...2025-06-2329 minUnbreakable Mind & BodyTrust Your Gut When Something Isn't Quite RightHave you ever stayed in a relationship you knew wasn't right, simply because leaving felt more terrifying than staying? That's exactly the journey I'm unpacking in this raw, honest conversation about self-forgiveness and the courage to walk away.Drawing from my personal experience with a relationship that spanned from 2006 to 2009, I share how I ignored my intuition early on, convincing myself that this person was "my soulmate" despite glaring warning signs. We connected through music, shared experiences, and genuine moments of intimacy – but underneath it all, something was fundamentally missing. What made this decision so ago...2025-06-1619 minUnbreakable Mind & BodyThe Champion's Mindset: "Balance" Is Holding You BackReady for some hard truth about transformation? In this powerful episode, I dive deep into why most people remain stuck in the "anticipation phase" rather than taking decisive action toward their goals. Drawing from my experience as a retired professional bodybuilder and nearly 30 years in the fitness industry, I challenge the popular notion of "balance".The uncomfortable reality is that champions don't maintain balance – they commit wholeheartedly to their vision, even when it means sacrifice. During my competition days, I would spend 3-5 hours daily exercising while managing a full-time career, proving that transformation demands more than ju...2025-06-1119 minUnbreakable Mind & BodyYour Inner Critic Is Not Your TruthShame and self-judgment can be the invisible chains that hold us back from living our most authentic lives. Have you ever stopped to wonder who's really behind that critical voice in your head? This powerful episode explores the relationship between shame, judgment, and authentic self-expression. Drawing inspiration from Brené Brown's groundbreaking work on vulnerability, we examine how shame fundamentally represents our fear of disconnection from others. Through personal stories about career choices, educational paths, and family dynamics, we unpack the complex layers of programming that influence our self-perception. Our beliefs don't emerge from nowhere – they're passe...2025-06-0927 minUnbreakable Mind & BodyAre You Living for Legacy?Have you ever wondered what people will remember about you when you're gone? Today's episode emerged from an unexpected emotional moment during a client training session that brought me to tears.When my client arrived with news that both her parents were hospitalized on opposite coasts, our conversation naturally turned toward mortality. I shared that while death itself doesn't frighten me, I often contemplate my legacy. ?The most powerful moment came when I realized I've spent years finding myself without having had a proper blueprint to follow. This truth hit me unexpectedly, bringing tears during...2025-06-0310 minUnbreakable Mind & BodyIntensity: The Secret Ingredient for Fitness ResultsEver gone to the gym, completed your workout, and walked away feeling like you didn't really do anything? You're not alone. This frustrating experience stems from a critical missing element in most fitness routines: intensity.Drawing from nearly three decades as a fitness professional, I unpack why so many workouts fall flat despite consistent gym attendance. The truth is that showing up isn't enough – what matters is how you engage during those precious minutes of training. Your phone might be the primary culprit sabotaging your results, along with selecting weights that don't adequately challenge your muscles.2025-06-0215 minUnbreakable Mind & BodyLearning to Say No: A Journey to Find My VoiceWhat happens when you finally stand up for yourself after a lifetime of putting someone else first? The moment I set my first boundary with my father changed everything between us – and within myself.After supporting my father through 13 years of incarceration from age 12 to 25, I found myself trapped in a cycle of manipulation and guilt. Until one day, when he made a passive-aggressive comment about my gym time being more important than his needs – and something inside me snapped.The words flew out with a ferocity that surprised us both: "That's right. My whole life...2025-05-2621 min
High Value DiscussionsThe Essential Principles Needed for a Thriving Company | Tiana Musika | HVD Podcast | Ep. 44In this episode of High Value Discussions, we have the privilege of speaking with Tiana Musika. Tiana serves as the Assistant Program Director at Evergreen Adult Development Center, a pivotal organization dedicated to serving individuals with developmental disabilities, helping them achieve personal growth, independence, and fulfillment. Through her role, Tiana has actively enhanced the lives of those in her care, ensuring that each individual receives the opportunity to grow, thrive, and contribute meaningfully to their community.She is also deeply involved in the mission of RC MAYO INC, an organization her family has passionately...2025-05-211h 23Unbreakable Mind & BodyBulking, Growth, and Self-Acceptance: My Journey to Taking Up More SpaceWhat happens when a woman who grew up immersed in diet culture deliberately chooses to take up more space? In this vulnerable exploration of my journey to gain muscle, I share the unexpected challenges of intentionally becoming bigger in a world that constantly tells women to shrink themselves.Growing up in the 80s and 90s, I was surrounded by impossible beauty standards—from beach workout videos with glistening bodies to the waif-thin supermodel era. Now, after decades of training and even competing as a bodybuilder, I've discovered that gaining muscle intentionally has been significantly harder than losing bod...2025-05-1916 min